A shoplifter took up a boxing stance in front of a security guard who stopped him from entering the store.

Blackburn Magistrates' Court heard Liam Leek then punched the member of staff once to the face.

Leek, 26, of Trinity Street, Oswaldtwistle, pleaded guilty to assaulting Chris Doherty and theft of a crate of beer worth £12 from Tesco Express in Oswaldtwistle on May 18.

He was made subject to a community order for 12 months with a 10-day rehabilitation activity requirement and 50 hours of unpaid work.

He was ordered to pay £50 compensation to Mr Doherty, £85 costs and a £114 victim surcharge.

Bilal Saeed, prosecuting, said Leek had entered the store with another male who made a purchase. As they left Leek grabbed a case of beer and left without paying.

“He returned later and this time security staff told him he couldn’t come in,” said Mr Saeed.

“He started to bounce around in front of the security officer and then punched him in the face.”

Gareth Price, mitigating, said it had been a single blow and there was no suggestion of any physical injuries.

“He accepts the primary aggravating feature is that this was an assault on a person who was simply doing his job,” said Mr Price.